What's good at the Green Bay Film Festival? Screeners share their recommendations

DE PERE - It’s almost showtime for the 2019 Green Bay Film Festival, but for volunteer screeners, the opening credits rolled last June.

That’s when a crew of 35 began watching and rating the 337 submissions for this weekend’s festival, helping determine the final lineup rolling out Thursday through Sunday at St. Norbert College.

That still leaves 93 features, shorts, documentaries, horror, animated, children’s and Wisconsin films to sort through. To help, we asked a few screeners for their particular favorites, and here’s what they had to offer.

Caitlin Schuchart

About Caitlin: “The thing I love most about cinema are the different points of view. All these different genres come together to express a diverse and vast universe. Something that is unique to film festivals is getting to experience a whole weekend of different films. But at the end of the day I’m looking to be told a story, and the best films for me are the ones that creatively and confidently draw me into that story.”

I loved this little film. I love shoes, too, so it was easy and fun. Our lead character also loves shoes but has two different-sized feet, and so we are with her in her journey to find a perfect “sole” mate. Equally beautiful as it was charming, I couldn’t get it out of my head. I would have happily watched it 100 times over!

Oh what fun! It’s rare that a horror film can scratch the scary and funny itch, but this film did in spades. A group of guys goes bowling on ladies night, thinking they are in for some easy flirting, and boy oh boy are they wrong. Something is clearly off, but when they finally notice, they are too late. And for a special treat, watch the credits.

“I Heart Jenny” (Documentary, 7 p.m. Saturday, Chorus Room)

Heartfelt and heartbreaking. I could tell the filmmaker had put a lot of thought and more love into this film. A family friend gets sick, and he explores what that means for her, her family and friends. I found it especially moving given the larger conversation of health care of today.

Larry Boehm

About Larry: “I look for films that draw me in, make me feel like I’m not just watching, but rather participating in the film. Films that are not just entertaining, but also educational.”

“Reclusion” (Family shorts package, 2:15 p.m. Sunday, Webb Theatre)

This film will touch your heart. The story is about a girl named Delaram who has Down syndrome and lives with her mother. She is ignored by society because of her mental and physical disorders, which makes her feel lonely. She strongly wants to have a close friend to spend some time with, just like normal kids. This movie shows the pain caused by ignorance/prejudice and the joy of friendship and love. It is a film everyone should see, burn into their memory and practice what they learned.

The Sandman goes round his nightly routine of putting people in town to sleep. All goes well until he accidentally puts a railway operator to sleep and must find a way to wake him up before two oncoming trains collide with each other. This film is just plain fun to watch; you won’t fall asleep.

Know someone who survived a trauma? Simple visual images and stories will tell you what everyone should know about the hidden epidemic of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and offer ray of hope. It’s not just about soldiers anymore.

Eric Blumreich

About Eric: “My favorite contemporary directors are David Lynch and Wes Anderson, which probably places me into some sort of easily definable fan category, like, perhaps, hipster doofus. Both are dark and surreal, but simultaneously sweet and optimistic. A killer soundtrack can also make an average movie good, and a good movie great.”

"Gags" promotional poster(Photo: Courtesy Green Bay Film Festival)

“Gags” (Horror feature, 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Walter Theatre)

Full disclosure, my band, Spy Vs. Spy, provided the song that plays over the end credits of this movie. But, even without a personal connection, there could not be a more perfect film for the Green Bay Film Festival. Viewers will feel like insiders, recognizing filming locations and perhaps even wondering how the movie was made in plain sight. The concept, script, direction and acting are also impressive. A "found footage" format allows for a natural feel and flow. The inevitability of the various story lines careening into one another builds an entertaining sense of anticipation. Plus ... the soundtrack, especially over the closing credits, is top notch!

“Hoan Alone” (Wisconsin shorts package, noon Sunday, Walter Theatre)

There have been more than 30 suicides, and countless attempts, by leaping off of Milwaukee’s Hoan Bridge. “Hoan Alone” digs into this phenomenon using conversations with families of victims and responders. The use of animation creates both a sense of privacy and deep intimacy. Stoic facial expressions and peripheral visual effects leave a heartbreaking impression. The film is effective in articulating a universal plea that even in offering small gestures of kindness to one another, we may be the positive spark that prevents someone from choosing suicide.

When considering the current landscape of racial and ethnic tensions in our country, one might tend toward inner-city urban and border issues. "Dodging Bullets" reminds us that there is an older, deeper and ongoing disparity in our own backyard that is often overlooked. The documentary serves as an effective reminder of the ongoing stereotyping society directs toward Native Americans. More importantly it dives into the historical trauma deeply rooted in the Native American experience and challenges viewers to rethink their conditioned perspectives.

Cyndee Sweetland

About Cyndee: “I love short films. I find good shorts take one point they want to get across and, done well, can really move you. The real success also includes quick love for the characters and immediate pull into the story.”

"Beads"(Photo: Courtesy Green Bay Film Festival)

“Beads” (Family shorts package, 2:15 p.m. Sunday, Webb Theatre)

I was taken by this film, inspired by true events, about a girl who moves to a new school and is met with the fun and potential of new friends but bias from others due to her hair. The film explores how rules are selectively enforced and how adults teach children the world through a racial lens.

I loved the insights into Shakespeare our character speaks into the lives of others. He is outgoing and independent, as you might not expect, and makes dreams a reality in one summer’s day. “One touch of nature makes the whole world kin. Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, so long live this and this gives life to thee. The wheel is come full circle, I AM HERE."

An award-winning film taking us on a journey of a very young and charming little girl and her commute on the Japanese transit. The director captures the environment and often scary attributes of the journey and blesses us with insights into the better parts of humanity.

Chris Speckhard

About Chris: “I love the short film format. It’s a challenge for both filmmaker and viewer. Much like a good short story, what’s left out, what doesn’t happen, what the characters don’t say — what you, the viewer, often must fill in — is as important as what is included. It’s this essential challenge that separates the good filmmakers from the rest.“

“Rich Kids” (Feature kickoff, 7 p.m. Friday, Webb Theatre)

The first hour of this film is extremely well done, packaging honest discussions of race, class, gender and sexuality into a surprisingly believable teen adventure. The Latino characters "try on" the rich, white life like a new suit or dress in a daylong encounter with the inanimate material wealth of absentee homeowners. “Los ricos” exist mostly as a figment of the kids’ imagination. All parties have to end, and this one does with a brutal slap of reality. Still, it's a compelling story that at times is surprisingly fun considering the heavy subject matter.

Two emotionally damaged people connect through a chance encounter with a street musician, sharing their pain and exploring the notion of happiness. Facial expressions and pauses contribute as much to the story as dialogue. Even the awkward silences — the mysteries of what wasn't said — held my interest. The final scene, and particularly the final line, will leave audiences wondering.

I loved the random storytelling concept. The sparse, interview-style clips had the feel of a confessional, with the subjects revealing personal secrets to the audience. It’s impressive to watch the actors perform each monologue in a single take, with no editing to gloss over flubs. Each one had to get it right from beginning to end.

2019 Green Bay Film Festival logo(Photo: Green Bay Film Festival)

2019 Green Bay Film Festival

When: Thursday through Sunday

Where: St. Norbert College, De Pere.

What’s playing: Complete schedule at gbfilmfestival.org. All screenings are held at the Abbot Pennings Hall of Fine Arts, 315 Third St., with the exception of the Thursday night special presentation at the Cassandra Voss Center, 311 Grant Street.

Tickets: $75 Series Gold Pass (good for all four days), $20 Saturday day pass, $20 Sunday pass at gbfilmfestival.org. Tickets for Thursday and Friday events available at the door.